Why Side Effect Management Matters More Than Ever

Cancer treatments have become more precise, but their side effects extend beyond traditional chemotherapy symptoms. Immunotherapy and targeted treatments can impact multiple organs, including the endocrine system, heart, kidneys, and nervous system, sometimes leading to chronic conditions. Over 65% of patients receiving immune-based therapies experience organ-specific toxicities, which can persist long after treatment.

Dr. Afreen Shariff, director of the Duke Endo-Oncology Program, advocates for integrating specialist care from diagnosis onward. She emphasizes the need for managing comorbidities and toxicities proactively to improve both survival and quality of life. Emerging fields like oncoendocrinology, cardio-oncology, and oncodermatology address these complexities, yet access to specialists remains limited, particularly in community cancer centers.

To bridge this gap, Dr. Shariff co-founded Citrus Oncology, a virtual multispecialty cancer support clinic. The platform provides rapid specialist consultations—often within two days—helping oncologists manage treatment-related side effects efficiently. Early intervention has been shown to reduce hospitalizations by over 70%, improving patient outcomes and treatment adherence.

Shariff underscores the urgency: “We must democratize access to expert care now before more lives are lost to poorly managed side effects.”

https://letswinpc.org/disease-management/life-during-treatment/side-effect-management-matters/